Rubber is a film that incorporates the ridiculous story of an animated tire, but also twists the act of watching movies and weaves it into the storyline. The funny thing is, this method of storytelling is unique enough that it made viewing Rubber entertaining. Following Robert around the desert and watching him get more and more intolerant of the objects and living things that he encounters was made interesting in that the cinematography, music, and effects were simple, yet involved. Honestly, as you watch the opening sequences of Robert, you will likely find yourself feeling the emotions of the tire. Director Quentin Dupieux takes Rubber in a direction that you've never been before.
Of course, take all of this with a grain of salt. Rubber is a Horror/Comedy, which should be a bit obvious when you consider that the film is about a killer tire named Robert who is obsessed with a cute, living, breathing brunette that he sees on the road. But the comedic aspects of this movie may not be for everyone... it may be geared more toward those who enjoy a good B-movie than anyone else. There is nothing serious about this movie, but it doesn't go the way of slapstick in any sense. There is just a subtle hilarity that comes with spending 83 minutes watching Rubber.
Other than the film itself, the Blu-ray disc doesn't contain much in the way of special features that are of true interest. Unfortunately, no true behind the scenes featurettes were made, but the disc does contain interviews with the director and a few cast members. You would almost think there should have been an interview with Robert... because that would have sealed the deal for this campy home video.
Still, this is where the rubber meets the road. The point of determining an actual score for this film that falls off the beaten path. My score certainly reflects my taste and appreciation for movies that offer a bit of a campy feeling, and Rubber doesn't disappoint. But I also have to say that the level of getting the audience to feel the emotions of Robert and to know what he's thinking through storytelling and cinematography (instead of dialogue) is at a level that I wish more big-budget films would take. The only downside to Rubber is that it really doesn't have much of a point... but I suppose that's okay since it's a story about an animated tire named Robert.
